Button-feeding means for sewing machines

ABSTRACT

A button-feeding means for sewing machines comprising a plurality of button storage tanks and a device for selectively feeding buttons from any one of said tanks to the machine button clamp.

United States Patent References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS [21] AppLNo.811,163 [22] Filed Mar. 27, 1969 [45] Patented Apr. 20, 1971 NecchiSocieta Per Azioni Pavia, Italy [73] Assignee 11,947 1l/1901 221/1333,047,193 7/1963 Broderson.................... 221/200X PrimaryExaminer-Stanley H. Tollberg Attorney-Steven, Davis, Miller & Mosher 8 M1 m m. A 2m, DM A13 M o n P 11]] 23. 333 [.11

ABSTRACT: A button-feeding. means for sewing machines comprising aplurality of button storage tanks and a device for m m s mum [52] us.221/133, ele i ly f ing butt n from any on f i nk to the 112/113 machinebutton clamp.

PATENTED'APR 2 0 I97! SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENTOR NEREO BIANCH! TTORNEYSlHilUT'IXON-FEEDWG MEANS FOR SEWHNG MACHINES The present inventionrefers to an automatic device for feeding buttons of different types tothe button clamp in known sewing machines which are especially adaptedto sew buttons onto fabric.

At present there are automatic button-feeding devices for sewingmachines which consist of a tank from which buttons are discharged bymeans of a known drive device, such as a vibrator,'and conveyed along achute from the end of which they are taken by a lever for loading into abutton clamp. To sew different types of buttons onto garments producedin small numbers, it is advantageous to use a single sewing machineprovided with an automatic button selector device, especially when thetime for presetting the sewing machine for each different type of buttonis eliminated. In this regard,

buttons may differ from one another in size, shape and color,

provided that the distance between the holes thereof is always the same.

It is well known that, for example, a mans coat is provided with littlebuttons at the sleeve ends and larger buttons along the coat front. Inreadymade clothing when the color of the coats is changed, it isnecessary to sew onto the sleeve ends buttons of equal size butdifferent in color, in order to match the color of the respective coats.In these cases, the operator, using loading devices known in the art,must remove from the single tank buttons remaining from the previousseries of coats and fill said tank with other buttons for the new seriesof coats, their emptying and refilling operation consuming a relativelyenormous amount of time.

An object of the present invention is the avoidance of theaforementioned emptying and refilling operations while changing overfrom one type (size, shape or color) of button to another. Accordingly,a single machine is provided with a button-feeding means which includesa plurality of button storage tanks which respectively may hold aparticular type button different from the other tanks. Further, aselector device is provided which permits the machine operator to easilyalternate as to which of the tanks is to feed buttons to the sewingmeans, specifically to the button clamp of the machine.

Other objects of the present invention are those which are inherent orobvious in the disclosed combination of parts, a preferred embodiment ofwhich is specifically described herein with reference to theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. l is a pictorial assembly view of a button-feeding means accordingto this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical end view of a portion of the means shownin FIG. ll;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section view taken along line M in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of another portion of the means ofFIG. l.

With reference to FIG. i, the device of the invention comprises avibrator Ml, of a type well-known in the art, resting on a base 31,supported by a column 1B rigidly fastened to a base 12 fixed to a table13 which also supports the sewing-machine, not shown, which isassociated with said device.

Button tank 113 rests on plate M rigidly connected to vibrator l0, andon said tank three other tanks 17, 18, 19 are mounted with cylindricalspacers 16 therebetween. Plate M, spacers i6 and tanks l5, l7, 13, 19are rigidly fastened to one another by means of a tie rod 20 which runsaxially along the stack of tanks and is threadably secured to vibratorby turning handgrip M which is rigidly connected with the upper end ofsaid tie rod 265. Vibrations of plate M of vibrator it) are transmittedto all the tanks and urge buttons, stored in them, to rise from thebottom of each tank along a spiral track 22, which is formed aiong theinner tank wall. Buttons, suitably oriented by known means provided inevery tank and not shown in the drawings, are conveyed by gravity alongchutes 23, 2d, 23 and 26 connected with upper ends of tanks l3, l7, l3,and M respectively.

In the drawings and in the specification, various related constructivedetails not essential to an understanding of the present invention havenot been described although various of such details are disclosed in US.Pat. No. 3,390,812.

Chutes 23 to 26 extend vertically into extensions thereof 23 to 26',respectively, which constitute a unitary curvilinear chute body 27serving to connect the chutes 23 to 26 with the inlet side of selectordevice 33 which, as is seen in FIG. 1, may be positioned along adifferent axis and in a different plane from chutes 23-26. A transparentwindow sheet 28, such as of plexiglass, is secured to body 27 by meansof screws 29.

The outlet end of chute body 27 comprises a longitudinal extension 32(FIG. 2) which extends telescopically into the inlet side of selectordevice 33. As is seen in FIG. 3, the outlet or lower ends of chutes 23to 26' lead vertically into the inlet ends of chutes ,23" to 26",respectively, formed in selector device 33. The chutes 23" to 26" inselector device 33 are curvilinear along a wide radius and becomehorizontal at their outlet ends.

A vertical diaphragm 341, which is stationarily fastened by means of asuitable bracket not shown to column 11, is positioned at a slightdistance from the outlet ends of body 33, said diaphragm 34 including aslot 33 of a size to permit free passage of buttons therethrough andonto a bracket 6 which forms part of the machine and on which themachine clamp 36 may hold the buttons which are subsequently transferredtherefrom by a not-shown changing lever to the machine button clamp,also not shown.

Selector device 33 is vertically displaceable by means of connecting rod73 to respective positions which correspond to the outlet ends of chutes23" to 26" being individually aligned with said slot 35. The telescopicrelationship between the chutes of body 27 and selector body 33 allowsfor such vertical displacement of body 33 without disturbing thealignment between chutes 23' to 26' and chutes 23" to 26".

A plate member 37 is pivotable in the horizontal gap between diaphragm34 and body 33 along a stroke from an inoperative position in whichplate 37 does not obstruct free passage between the slot 35 and thechutes 23" to 26" with which said slot is aligned, to an operativeposition whereby said plate 37 swings across slot 35 and by means of acamlike projection 84 on said plate serves to push a button 85, whichextends into said gap, back into its chute in body 33.

The vertical movements of selector body 33 result from actuation of acontrol means which is generally designated by numeral 33 and includes asupport 39 and is fastened to table 13 and comprises a pair ofspaced-apart projections 40 between which is rotatably supported a shaft54. Four parallely disposed selector members in the form of cylindricalpushbutton-type members 41 to 44 are mounted on support 39 forreciprocal linear displacement in a direction perpendicular to the axisof shaft 54. The visible end of each of the push members 41 to 44 hasmounted thereon a button d5 to 48 which corresponds, respectively, tothe button contained in each of the respective tanks 15, 17, 18 and 19.A cover'fi for the push members is secured to support 39 by screws 7.

FIG. 3 shows the details of one of the push members 43, the others beingidentical thereto. Member 43 is reciprocally slidable within sleeve 50from an inoperative to an operative position against the urging of coilspring 51 which extends within an axially extending bore 52 in member 43with one end of said spring leaning against the button of said bore andthe other end leaning against the button of a bore 53 in the support 39.

Each of the push members includes a radial notch 55 of rectangular shapefor receiving lock member 33 therein in order to hold the push member inits operative position against the urging of spring 3i. Each push memberalso includes an inclined or cam-type forward edge 56 which, as one pushmember is moving towards its operative position, is adapted to lift lockmember 33 out of notch 35 of any other push member which is already inits operative position. Each push member also includes a radiallyextending abutment member 57 located substantially centrally of the pushmember length. Abutment member 57 includes a forward abutment surface 58for engaging a tongue portion 59 which is integral with body 60 which inturn is freely rotatably mounted on shaft 54.

A clamp device is rigidly secured to shaft 54 by screw means 61 whichacts to tighten the two spaced-apart legs 62 and 63 of said clamp aroundthe shaft. A screw means 64 serves to adjustably determine the angularrelationship between clamp and tongue 59. Clockwise angular oscillatoryadjustment of tongue 59 is obtained by threading screw member 64 intoclamp 5 while counterclockwise adjustment is obtained by unthreadingscrew member 64 from said clamp 5 whereby spring 65 serves to urgetongue 59 apart from clamp 5.

A second shaft 66 is rotatably mounted on support 39 parallel to shaft54 and pivotally supports a lever L which includes an arm 67 extendingradially from shaft 66 and another arm 67' extending perpendicular toarm 67 and parallel to shaft 54 across the path of all the push members41 to 44.

Arm 67 is connected by means of a pivot pin 68 to one end oflink 69, theother end of which is connected by pivot pin 70 to the lower end ofpivot plate 37. Said plate 37 is pivotably mounted on a pin 71 whichserves the additional purpose of securing the diaphragm 34 to anot-shown bracket which, in turn, is fixed to column 11. A coil spring72, fastened at one of its ends to support 39 and at the other of itsends to link 69, urges the pivot plate 37 to an inoperative positionrelative to slot 35.

The lower end of connecting rod 73 is connected by a screw clamp 74 toone end of L-shaped lever 75 whose other end is connected to shaft 54 byscrew clamp 76.

In order to complete the representation of the invention, various partshave been represented even if not necessary to an understanding of theinvention. These parts are a motor 77, a pulley 78, a belt 79, a secondpulley 80 and a shaft 81 connected therewith. A cylinder at the end ofshaft 81 and not shown presses against a button located on bracket 6 andkept in position by clamp 36. Motor 77 brings about, through theabove-mentioned elements, the orienting of said button on a loadingbutton lever, not shown, which then draws the button from said clamp 36and transfers it to the machine button clamp. Further, an electromagnet82 is represented which is provided to cause said button lever toperform the movements necessary to carry out its function.

Ample illustration of the two necessary devices mentioned hereinbeforeand of their functions is found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,390,812.

OPERATION The operation will be described with reference to thesituation in which all tanks hold buttons of identical size and shapebut of different color.

In order to change over from one color button to another, it isnecessary to push towards the operative position, that is towards theright in FIG. 5, the push member which corresponds to the desired colorbutton. As the push member moves towards the operative position itsforward end camlike surface 56 slides along rounded lock member 83 whichis integral with lever L, this, therefore, causing lever L to pivotclockwise. Clockwise pivoting of lever L acting through link 69,necessarily causes plate member 37 to pivot clockwise about pin 70against the urging of spring 72. This pivoting of plate member 37 causesits camlike projection 84 to swing past slot 35 and to push a button 85back into its chute in body 33 as heretofore described with reference toFIG. 4. Plate member 37, furthermore, serves to hold the buttons in allthe chutes of body 33 while said body 33 is being vertically displacedfrom one to another of its operative positions relative to slot 35.

It is also to be noted that when surface 56 of the push member beingmoved lifted lock member 83 and pivoted lever L clockwise, said lockmember 83 necessarily released any other push member which it had beenholding in the operative position, the released lock member beingreturned to its inoperative position automatically by spring 51.

Continuing its stroke towards the operative position shown in Fig. 5,the surface 58 of push member projection 57 abuts against tongue 59which, acting through screw 64 and clamp 5, turns shaft 54counterclockwise as the push member moves fully to its operativeposition. Such counterclockwise pivoting of shaft 54 in turn causes acorresponding pivoting of lever 75 and an upward displacement of rod 73as well as of body 33.

When the push member has completed its movement towards its operativeposition, the lock member 83 falls into notch 55 under the urging ofspring 72 thereby doing two things simultaneously, namely:

a. the push member is locked in its operative position so that themachine operator may release the push member; and

b. the plate 37 is permitted to be pulled back out of the way of slot 35by spring 72.

The respective projections 57 on each of the push members are slightlyaxially displaced from each other in order that each projection 57corresponds to a different position of body 33 relative to slot 35.Furthermore, the point along the stroke of each push member at which itssurface 58 abuts against tongue 59 can be adjusted through screw 64. Inany event, body 33 will move either up or down depending upon the axialrelationship of the projections 57 on two necessarily pressed pushmembers. Body 33 is movable downwardly by virtue of its own weight whileupward movement is imparted thereto by projection 57 abutting againsttongue 59 as heretofore described.

The scope of the invention is not limited to the details disclosedherein relative to a particular embodiment of realization but isintended to encompass all other embodiments, modifications,substitutions, or equivalents which are either obvious or well withinthe purview of one skilled in the art.

lclaim:

l. A button-feeding means for feeding buttons to the button clamp of asewing machine, comprising: a plurality of button storage tanks, a chuteleading from each tank to a common selector device which includes adischarge slot and is arranged to selectively transmit buttons fromeither of said chutes to said slot, a control means to determine fromwhich of said chutes said device will transmit buttons to said slot,wherein said selector device includes a movable guide member whichdefines a button chute means having an inlet and an outlet siderespectively arranged to align either of said chutes with said slot,said guide member being movable by said control means to either ofvarious positions which respectively correspond to a different one ofsaid chutes being aligned with said slot.

2. The button-feeding means of claim 1, wherein said guide memberdefines a separate said chute means for each of said chutes, said chutesand said chute means being telescopically engaged with each other atsaid inlet side of said guide member, said chute means beingtransversely movable relative to said discharge slot whereby, pursuantto movement of said guide member, said chutes and chute means telescoperelative to each other while a different one of said chute means becomesaligned with said slot.

3. The button-feeding means of claim 1, wherein said control meansincludes a selector member, one for each of said chutes and easilyaccessible to the machine operator, each selector member being actuableto displace said guide member to a particular one of said positionsthereof.

4. The button-feeding means of claim 3, said discharge slot beingdefined by a stationary diaphragm, located adjacent to said chute meansoutlet side, and including a button displacer member displaceable in aspace between said diaphragm and said chute means outlet side, saiddisplacer member being displaceable to engage a button extending betweensaid outlet side and said slot and to push same back into its chutemeans.

5. The button-feeding means ofjclaim 4, said button displacer membercomprising a platelike'member which is I pivotable'in aplane extendingtransversely to the direction along which a button must travel inpassing from said chute 7. The button-feeding means of claim6,'including resilient means urging each said push member towards saidinoperative position and lock means adapted to hold one of said pushmembers at a time in said operative position against the urging of saidresilient means, said lock means being releasable from lockingrelationship with any one of said push members pursuant to movement ofany other push member into said operative position.

push member being 8. The button-feeding means of claim 6, including abutton displacer member movable relative to said guide member outletside for pushing any button extending partially from said chute meansback thereinto, said push members each being arranged to so move saiddisplacer member pursuant to said push .members being displaced intosaid operative position. 1

9. The button-feeding means of claim 3, including a rotatable shaftdrivingly associated with said guide member,

each said selector member being operatively associated to rotate saidshaft to a different extent relative to any other selector member inorder to displace said guide member to a corresponding difierent extentto respective said positions thereof.

1. A button-feeding means for feeding buttons to the button clamp of asewing machine, comprising: a plurality of button storage tanks, a chuteleading from each tank to a common selector device which includes adischarge slot and is arranged to selectively transmit buttons fromeither of said chutes to said slot, a control means to determine fromwhich of said chutes said device will transmit buttons to said slot,wherein said selector device includes a movable guide member whichdefines a button chute means having an inlet and an outlet siderespectively arranged to align either of said chutes with said slot,said guide member being movable by said control means to either ofvarious positions which respectively correspond to a different one ofsaid chutes being aligned with said slot.
 2. The button-feeding means ofclaim 1, wherein said guide member defines a separate said chute meansfor each of said chutes, said chutes and said chute means beingtelescopically engaged with each otheR at said inlet side of said guidemember, said chute means being transversely movable relative to saiddischarge slot whereby, pursuant to movement of said guide member, saidchutes and chute means telescope relative to each other while adifferent one of said chute means becomes aligned with said slot.
 3. Thebutton-feeding means of claim 1, wherein said control means includes aselector member, one for each of said chutes and easily accessible tothe machine operator, each selector member being actuable to displacesaid guide member to a particular one of said positions thereof.
 4. Thebutton-feeding means of claim 3, said discharge slot being defined by astationary diaphragm, located adjacent to said chute means outlet side,and including a button displacer member displaceable in a space betweensaid diaphragm and said chute means outlet side, said displacer memberbeing displaceable to engage a button extending between said outlet sideand said slot and to push same back into its chute means.
 5. Thebutton-feeding means of claim 4, said button displacer member comprisinga platelike member which is pivotable in a plane extending transverselyto the direction along which a button must travel in passing from saidchute means to said slot, said platelike member being pivotallydisplaced through actuation of any of said selector members.
 6. Thebutton-feeding means of claim 3, each of said selector memberscomprising a push member rectilinearly displaceable between aninoperative and operative position relative to said guide member, eachsaid push member being arranged to displace said guide member to arespective different extent pursuant to said push member beingindividually displaced from said inoperative to said operative position.7. The button-feeding means of claim 6, including resilient means urgingeach said push member towards said inoperative position and lock meansadapted to hold one of said push members at a time in said operativeposition against the urging of said resilient means, said lock meansbeing releasable from locking relationship with any one of said pushmembers pursuant to movement of any other push member into saidoperative position.
 8. The button-feeding means of claim 6, including abutton displacer member movable relative to said guide member outletside for pushing any button extending partially from said chute meansback thereinto, said push members each being arranged to so move saiddisplacer member pursuant to said push members being displaced into saidoperative position.
 9. The button-feeding means of claim 3, including arotatable shaft drivingly associated with said guide member, each saidselector member being operatively associated to rotate said shaft to adifferent extent relative to any other selector member in order todisplace said guide member to a corresponding different extent torespective said positions thereof.